How my story begins: I knew there was something wrong--there just had to be. The weird mid-cycle bleeding, with clots. An increase in discharge. Bleeding after intercourse. None of that was normal. I was told it was just the "hormonal birth control." I'd had an abnormal PAP years prior--almost 10 years before--which was successfully treated via colposcopy. I remembered the symptoms I had experienced back then. My "new" symptoms were deju vu in a lot of ways.
Finally, after maybe 5 visits to two different primary care providers--one of whom I'd seen most of my adult life and trusted completely--plus a visit to the local emergency room, I was finally scheduled for a Pap test. Unsurprisingly, the results were abnormal. The resulting colposcopy was a fail: the doctor couldn't even visualize the biopsy area well enough due to bleeding to actually do anything. Again, that didn't surprise me. The little voice inside my head told me to brace myself. I was referred for, and had, a LEEP performed on September 20, 2019 by one of the first superhero physicians I would encounter. I was at work when I looked down to see the doctor's office phone number pop up on my phone screen; the nurse told me that the doctor was calling with the results. While I waited on hold, I ducked into a nearby conference room to be alone. I sat in a 1980's era chair as the doctor came on the phone and said "Kate, it's cancer; it was in everything I took out, and I was really aggressive. It's adenocarcinoma. I've referred you to a local Gynecologic Oncologist, she's the best of the best. What questions do you have?".
My treatment: The first step was an initial staging exam and a PET-CT by my Gynecologic Oncologist (the second superhero I am blessed to have met during my journey), both of which I was relieved to pass with flying colors (in the relative world of cancer, at least).
I was staged at 1B1; there was no metastatic activity on the PET, nor did my oncologist feel any other areas of concern in my pelvis. She sat down with me and reviewed a long list of treatment options, clearly explaining all the pros and cons of each. I had no clue what to do, so I simply said "What would you do if you were me? Or if I was your sister, daughter, mother, what would you recommend?"
She said that since my cancer was aggressive, she would be aggressive in response; a radical, open hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy and lymph node dissection.So that's what we did on November 6, 2018. The day before Thanksgiving 2018, I went back to see my surgeon to find out that while I had cleared a few hurdles in the surgical pathology evaluation, they noted evidence of cancer cells in my lympho-vascular structures, and the tumor was quite invasive. As a result, my treatment journey continued on in the form of 6 Cisplatin infusions, while also doing daily radiation therapy for a total of 28 treatments.
What I did to help myself: I am blessed to live down the street from the large medical center where I had my radiation therapy, as well as my weekly infusions. My "regular" infusion room had a window that looked out to the medical center's neighboring wellness center and gym. I would go in for chemotherapy every week and look out the window at the gym while getting my IV inserted. I made a pact with myself during one infusion treatment that I would go to that gym and get in shape after completing therapy. I'd been procrastinating doing anything health-related as I never was very active, but I knew I needed to change. I was thrilled to see they had a focused Cancer Wellness program for cancer survivors; a rehabilitation of sorts. The 12-week program helped me not only learn more about how food and activity impact our overall health, but it restored a confidence I didn't realize I'd lost during my treatment journey. I also gained a new group of friends and accountability partners - both of which have been priceless.
Where I am today: While I'm writing this, just over one year from the start of my postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation, I would be remiss not to acknowledge how my journey forced me to recognize all of the blessings in my life. Even on days when my bum and hips hurt after sitting too long, my feet tingle from the nerve damage, or menopause's hot flashes have me sweating; I simply look around at my new husband (whom I married on the one year anniversary of my LEEP biopsy), my cats, my parents, friends, and coworkers, and realize just how blessed I am. I continue to try and live each day by acknowledging what I could have so easily lost, while honoring those who were not as lucky as I am in their cancer journey. I continue on a 3-month rotation of seeing my Gynecologic Oncologist, praying each time for normal results (so far, so good!). Add to that a newly rediscovered healthy lifestyle putting myself first! I can truly say I was reborn November 6, 2018.
How I will try to help others: I recently joined Cervivor and am excited about the options to be involved in Cervical Cancer and HPV awareness. My mom and I also continue to be active in our local American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.